P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 10-29-13

New texting laws take effect today for drivers with commercial licenses, which bands them from using their phones even at traffic stops. The legislation was passed earlier this year, Governor Cuomo signed it in July, the law increases the penalty from 3 to 5 points on a license for texting. The new law also adds texting while driving to the infractions for probationary and junior licenses that can lead to a 60-day suspension.

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Broome county Sheriff’s department responded to a 1-car crash early this ringing is dead after a car crash in the town of Chenango. 78-year-old Harold Sunshine of Chenango Forks, drove off the roadway at about 6:00 AM this morning, he drove through a yard & into a tree. Sunshine was found unresponsive in the vehicle, he was pronounced dead at the scene, he might have suffered from a medical emergency while driving. The investigation is continuing.

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State Senator Jim Seward announced plans for his 2ND economic development summit in Otsego County. Seward is sponsoring the summit in conjunction with the Otsego County Development Corporation, the County industrial Development Agency, the Otsego County Chamber, and Citizens’ Voices. The summit is scheduled for November 14th at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center in Oneonta.

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Governor Cuomo announced the availability of $1 million in state funding to assist law enforcement agencies in Upstate New York with their efforts to reduce, solve and prevent crime. Operation IMPACT grants are available to law enforcement agencies in 40 Upstate counties that are not otherwise covered by the program, which provides funding in 17 counties that account for 80% of upstate crime. Agencies can cialis for sale apply for up to $50,000 for funding patrols; warrant sweeps, investigations and overtime. Applications for funding must be submitted by November 26th, they will be awarded in early 2014.

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State officials are giving the public another month to weigh in on a proposal to allow new liquefied natural gas facilities in the state for the first time in 40 years. The comment period on the proposed regulations is extended until December 4th, Groups opposed to hydraulic fracturing claim that the new facilities would increase pressure to lift the state’s 5-year-old ban on fracking. Proponents say new liquefied natural gas facilities would allow truck fleets using the fuel to pass through New York. The proposal is available at dec.ny.gov.

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Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy has withdrawn his name from consideration for a position with the Rochester Business Alliance and has committed to staying on as lieutenant governor through 2014. Duffy interviewed for the job on October 5th, state republican chairman Ed Cox is asking for the Moreland Commission to investigate any possible wrongdoing by Duffy, in not notifying Governor Cuomo of his interview.

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4 State University of New York campuses will get more locally grown vegetables under a pilot project called Farm to College. The project is supported by a $99,000 federal agriculture grant to American Farmland Trust. The 4 SUNY campuses are the University of Albany, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Oswego and SUNY Oneonta. The grant will help New York farmers get more local produce into the state’s colleges.

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State Police in Binghamton arrested 21-year-old Andrew Pello of Windsor for 3rd degree criminal mischief and 3rd degree criminal trespass following an investigation in which Pello allegedly damaged numerous athletic fields at the Windsor High School by driving a vehicle on the fields and damaging the grass and a pole. Pello was arraigned in Town of Windsor court and released pending a future court appearance.

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State Police arrested 42-Year Old Thomas Ottoson of New Berlin Monday for 2nd degree Harassment. The arrest resulted from a dispute on County Road 29 in New Berlin, Ottoson was arraigned in Norwich town court and released on his own recognizance, he is scheduled to appear in the New Berlin town court on November 13th.